Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-24
THE STREET RA1LRoAD D1rE1ouLrY.

Elsewhere in this issue We present the
sentiments Of q few leading citizens inter.
listed in the matter upon the subject which
Mr.. Bennett presented to the City Council
on Wednesday evening. The subject ofsome
means o: cheap and quick transit between
the city and outlying points is one that has
absorbed the %Gttention Of our best citizens
for years back. It remained for the Messrs.
Bennett to organize q company that took
hold OF the question ina practical manner
and pushed it to it's present stage Of ad-
vancement. They have, in good faith. ex-
pended time and money upon the plan,
and have employed the best engineering
skill in devising q system to meet the
emergency in this city. The result Of
the most critical examination of the
ground to be run over and con-
~sultation with the best engineering author
tiles is that the most available power
which can be brought int immediate use Is
a steam motor. The electric systems
which have been examined cannot be placed
in operation here at the earliest before next
summer, and it is doubtful, as yet, which
system will be able to contend against the
difficulties in the way here at the worst sea-
son OF the year. Meanwhile, and until that
question is decided, the people Of Butte
should have a system OF cheap and rapid
transit. and this Mr.. Willard Bennett Of
fered the Council last Wednesday evening
in the proposition to put on the street
railroad the noiseless exhaustlocomotives.
This motor is entirely free from
the objections ordinarily urged against
engines. 1t has q noiseless
exhaust, that is, the steam is conducted /
back into q receiver filled with water where
it expends itself without the least sound.
There is not the faintest possibility of
animals being scared by it any more than
they would be by y cable car OF an electric
car. The engine was completely boxed in
and looks just as any ordinary passenger
car. There is NO smoke about it as the
company would use coke. The intention
Of the company was to put t%hreeinto use at
once, by which quick and cheap trips
would be made between Burlington and
Butte, South Butte and Centerville,
and Butte and Meaderville.
The advantages which the community
will derive from such an extensive bringing
of outlying points are too obvious
TO more than advert to, while the dis
advantages are absolutely none.
How absurd the beggarly proposition of
The Council will appear to ally business
man requires only to be stated to be seen.
They offered the company a three months
which would involve the expendi-
Of twenty thousand dollars to place
n operation. OF course the Street Rail-
-oad Company will accept ne such ridicl-
offer. Men who could make such a
ouerils offer as that could not be tru 81 ed
o extend the franchise. even though the
'ntire community were in favor OF
t.. Spite and petty business jeal.
'usy ruled some minds in the Coun-
in the discussion of the street rail-
Dad franchise when it was up for consider
Ition, and the electors will remember those
Who place needless distractions in the way
Il q great public benefit.
Meanwhile no time should be lost in an
fort to get the Council together to recon-
ider their action. A petition should be at
'nce circulated to have the Council con-
enc in special session at once, and see
THAT possible objection can be reasonably
Irged against granting the Street Railroad
'ompany's petition. The time in which
hey have to decide upon whether they will
rider a full complement of mules f.r service 6
the street railroad between here and
outh Butte-which is all they can operate
y this means-or send an order to the
manufacturers for the motors that will {
in Burlington, Meaderville and Gen. I
is short. Let there be no delay.
he Council cannot be convened too early j
nd the petition cannot be too strongly {
'orded. liz